This is my section of the presentation for the Public Library Association Conference 2014 in Indianapolis by EveryLibrary and EveryLibrary California.
For speaking engagements please contact PC Sweeney at http://pcsweeney.com/speaking-at-your-event/
17. Focus your message
Libraries supply books to children, and dvds to
adults, and cds, and adults use our computers,
support literacy, and support healthy living,
and businesses use our databases, and families
come to storytimes, and we have programs for
people, and we have computer classes, and we
internet access, and internet access is
important for some reason, and we answer
questions, and we find information, and
people work in our libraries, and people have a
space to do homework, and there is the area
for people to knit, and cats are great pets, and I
love my cardigan, and we support the arts,
and, and, and.
Bigger picture, larger good.Everyone is a player and has a place on the field
Chants, sayings, internal language
OngoingActiveToolsHouse PartiesSocials/meetupsBring a friendNetworking events
Can train to the right people to have the skillsCan’t train the wrong people who don’t want the skills
Friends groupsVolunteersCity councilStaffSupporting and supported community orgs
The majority, not everyone, the 80/20 ruleThe ones in chargeMoneypower
Not the numbersFOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP TELLING THE NUMBERS
Message box activitiesPractice staying on message
Look at the opposition’s message (yes, there are people in your community who don’t like the library) Develop your message with them in mind first, then your supportersYou message should oppose and educate the oppositionSurveysTalking to your community
Click on opposition adsBuild a community of commenters, sharers, likers, Rters, rebloggers, etc…
Door to Door library card sign-ups
Be at Every Community Event. If there isn’t a community event, create one
Libraries should have an editorial/media calendar
You can do anything with a large enough email listCrowdsourced fundraiser like kickstarter or loudsauceBuild a rallyGet people to programsBuild supportKeep the public informed
Always have people at city council to talk about the library Build relationships with your local councilNo legislative days, create a legislative relationship – Legislators are more likely to meet if you’re a PAC donor